J. C. Squire, ed. A Book of Women’s Verse. 1921.
By Amy Levy (18611889)Cambridge in the Long
W
Across the air is blown,
And drowsy fragrance of the limes,
I lie and dream alone.
O’er gardens densely green,
O’er old grey bridges and the small,
Slow flood which slides between.
But known of old and dear.
What went I forth to seek? The change
Is mine; why am I here?
I fled the town in vain;
The strenuous life of yesterday
Calleth me back again.
Yet here, where memories throng,
Ev’n here, I know the past is weak,
I know the present strong.
Suit not my present mind,
Whose eager thought goes out to meet
The life it left behind.
An idle one we know;
Unship the oars, make loose the rope,
Push off the boat and go …
Thus loosened at a touch!
This pain of living is too keen,
Of loving, is too much.